5 ways to use lamb mince

Australians might be renowned for our love of lamb, but we often tend to save it for roasts and barbeques. While there are some traditional flavours and recipes for lamb mince, it can also replace the meat of choice in some of your other favourite recipes.

Whether you want to experiment with Middle eastern flavours and make your family favourites more robust, these lamb recipes will turn your midweek meals into something special.

Lamb burgers

When making your own burger patties, the fat content in lamb mince should be enough to help it bind together without the need to add an egg. Mix your mince with onion, garlic, parsley and a dash of ground cumin for a great flavour combination. You can either top your burgers with the usual salad varieties or get colourful with beetroot, crunchy cucumber and feta.

Flatbread pizzas

This is a true weeknight wonder of a meal. Preheat your oven to 200°C while you sauté a finely diced onion in a frying pan until it softens. Add a tablespoon of cumin and a teaspoon of paprika, then add your lamb mince. When cooked, simply cover your flatbreads in tomato pasta, spread the mince mixture over the top and top with a melty cheese of your choice. After cooking in the oven for about 10 minutes, serve with a scattering of fresh rocket, cucumber ribbons, chopped cherry tomatoes and dollops of freshly made tzatziki.

Greek Kofte

This beloved barbeque dish will soon become a summer staple. In a big bowl, mix your lamb mince with a finely diced oven, 2 crushed cloves of garlic, and 1 teaspoon (each) of paprika, ground coriander and ground cumin. Add a tablespoon (each) of chopped parsley and mint. Finally add ½ teaspoon of chilli flakes (or more if you like it hot!). Mix together before shaping into 8cm long sausages and threading onto some skewers. Cook on a barbeque over a low heat for about 10 minutes and serve with Greek salad, lemon wedges, feta and pita bread.

Moroccan shepherd’s pie

Give your regular shepherd’s pie a Moroccon twist by replacing the beef mince with lamb. Add 2 tablespoons of a harissa spice blend and some drained and rinsed chickpeas for the ultimate spicy feast.

Lamb San Choy Bau

While we usually see recipes for san choy bau featuring pork or chicken mince, it can also be made with lamb. Combine your lamb mince with a teaspoon (each) of paprika, ginger, turmeric, and dried herbs like parsley and thyme. Add 2 tablespoons or soy sauce and coconut milk, along with shredded carrot and bok choy (along with any other vegetables you like). Finally, serve it all up in nice big lettuce cups! A light (and fulfilling) flavourful feast.